Chow's Chinese Restaurant in Oklahoma City: Szechuan and Cantonese on NW 23rd Street
Chow's Chinese Restaurant is a full-service dining room in Oklahoma City's Chinatown area that specializes in Szechuan and Cantonese cooking, with a menu that spans over 100 items and accommodates both dine-in customers and takeout orders. The restaurant operates at moderate volume, drawing regulars and families rather than functioning as quick-service; expect a kitchen that executes both simple fried rice and more technical braised dishes. It sits apart from the city's handful of Chinese restaurants by emphasizing Szechuan heat and numbing spice rather than Americanized buffet service.
What Chow's Actually Serves
The menu divides into sections: appetizers, soups, noodle and rice dishes, protein-forward entrees organized by ingredient (chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and vegetarian), and house specials. Szechuan dishes appear throughout, identifiable by chili oil, Szechuan peppercorn, and the characteristic tingle they produce. Mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and chili oil noodles represent the stronger flavors. Cantonese items like steamed fish with ginger and scallion, chow mein, and roasted duck offer milder, cleaner preparations. The kitchen does not use a buffet; all dishes are cooked to order, which means longer waits during peak hours but fresher food.
Menu Pricing and What to Order
Entrees range from $10 to $18, with most dishes falling between $12 and $16. Appetizers cost $5 to $8. Noodle and rice dishes run $8 to $12. These prices hold steady for both lunch and dinner, though lunch and dinner hours may have different portion conventions; call to confirm current lunch pricing if you plan to visit midday. The hot and sour soup ($4 to $6 depending on size) and spring rolls ($5 for four) are reliable starters. Mapo tofu ($13), kung pao chicken ($13), and chili oil beef noodles ($11) represent signature Szechuan items worth ordering if you tolerate moderate to high spice. If you prefer Cantonese flavors, ask what whole fish or seafood the kitchen has on a given day; Cantonese preparation typically costs $14 to $18 depending on the catch, weight, and cooking method.
How Chow's Compares to Other Oklahoma City Chinese Restaurants
Oklahoma City has limited full-service Chinese restaurants. P.F. Chang's, located in Bricktown, operates as a national chain with a broad Asian-fusion menu, higher prices ($16 to $28 entrees), and more consistent standardization but less regional authenticity. Chow's menu stays closer to Szechuan and Cantonese traditions and offers lower prices, making it the better choice if you want regional Chinese cooking and are willing to accept slower service during rush periods. Other local options tend toward takeout-oriented storefronts or buffets; Chow's is the city's most credible sit-down restaurant for Szechuan heat. If you want Americanized comfort and speed, P.F. Chang's delivers that faster. If you want regional flavor and authenticity, Chow's is the only serious alternative in Oklahoma City proper.
Who This Restaurant Suits and Who It Does Not
Chow's works well for diners who enjoy Szechuan spice, those curious about Cantonese steamed dishes, and families comfortable ordering off a full menu rather than selecting from a buffet or set specials. It suits takeout customers during lunch and dinner. It does not suit those seeking a quick meal (order-to-table time during lunch is typically 20 to 25 minutes; dinner can extend to 40 minutes on Saturdays). It is not a good fit for diners who dislike spice and have limited Cantonese knowledge; the menu requires some familiarity with what you are ordering, and staff can explain dishes but do not simplify the menu for heat-averse customers.
What the First Visit Involves
You will receive a laminated menu with photos on some items, which helps. Ask staff to recommend a balance of mild and moderate-heat dishes if you are unsure of your tolerance. If you order Szechuan, expect visible chili oil and Szechuan peppercorn; these are not mistakes. The dining room is modest, with minimal decor, and tables are placed close together, so conversation at neighboring tables may carry. Payment at the table or by card at the register; cash accepted. No alcohol license, but you may bring your own beer or wine (verify BYOB policy when you call).
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Chow's is located on NW 23rd Street in Oklahoma City's Chinatown neighborhood. Hours are typically 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays. Call to confirm hours, as seasonal closures or staffing changes can shift these times. Street parking is available in front and on nearby blocks. The restaurant does not require reservations, but parties larger than six should call ahead to ensure seating availability.
Chow's Chinese Restaurant fills a gap in Oklahoma City's dining landscape by refusing to sand down Szechuan and Cantonese cooking for mass appeal. If you want that food cooked correctly, it is worth the wait.
